Thai corruption body files charges against PM over rice scheme

by
Reuters

Tuesday, 18 February 2014 08:16 GMT

Farmers hold signs in front of a combine harvester during a rally demanding the Yingluck administration resolve delays in payment from the rice pledging scheme outside the Commerce Ministry in Nonthaburi province, on the outskirts of Bangkok February 6, 2014 The signs read, "We condemn the Yingluck administration for corruption". REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom

BANGKOK, Feb 18 (Reuters) - Thailand's anti-corruption body said on Tuesday it had filed charges against Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra relating to irregularities in the government's rice-buying scheme, and it summoned her to appear to face the charges on Feb. 27.

"Although she knew that many people had warned about corruption in the scheme, she still continued with it. That shows her intention to cause losses to the government so we have unanimously agreed to charge her," Vicha Mahakhun, a member of the National Anti-Corruption Commission, said in a statement.

Yingluck is head of the National Rice Committee. Her government introduced the present scheme in 2011, paying farmers way above the market price for their grain.

We welcome comments that advance the story through relevant opinion, anecdotes, links and data. If you see a comment that you believe is irrelevant or inappropriate, you can flag it to our editors by using the report abuse links. Views expressed in the comments do not represent those of the Thomson Reuters Foundation. For more information see our Acceptable Use Policy.